Different methods of chopping in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the different methods of chopping in cataract surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS: Chop techniques are of advantage in reducing the amount of phaco energy, endothelial damage as well as zonular stress to the eye. Various methods have been described including the classical horizontal and vertical chops as well as newer chop techniques for all grades of cataract. Femtochop using the femtosecond laser as well as the use of a microinterventional snare are more recent advances.

SUMMARY: Learning chop manoeuvres - both the classically described ones as well as newer ones and adaptation to various scenarios is important in successfully and safely performing cataract surgery. This becomes especially more important in challenging situations such as low endothelial count, small pupil, subluxated cataract, and so forth.